12 Neighborhood Restaurants In Washington With Food So Good You’ll Be Back For Seconds

Some restaurants are for special occasions only, requiring getting dressed up and making reservations weeks in advance… and then there are those neighborhood gems you can walk into on any given day and (usually) be seated within a few minutes. They might not have the attention of the food critics or the budget for promotion, but for those who live nearby, they’re the best. Washington has hundreds of those places, and these 12 happen to have food so delicious you’ll want to go back for more.

You'll find the family-owned La Rustica on Beach Drive in West Seattle. While it's always a popular place (both its food and its views are incredible), it's nestled on a quiet street away from the business of Alki Beach.

This is definitely a special occasion spot where reservations are recommended… but it has all the other qualities of a neighborhood favorite, earning it a spot on this list. It’s located inside a small home that was built in 1903, it’s a hidden gem, and its small staff is warm and friendly. The authentic French cuisine is out of this world.

Out-of-towners may not understand the appeal of Chico's... it doesn't look like much from the outside. But this old school pizza joint has been a local favorite for years, and its pizza speaks for itself.